When Raylena awoke, something in her mind had changed. She squinted into the darkness and shook her head slightly. Different. She felt different... almost normal. Normal? Hah! Nothing normal about her. At least she was thinking in a straight line... Straight? Yes, straight. Normal. As normal as she could be.
A rueful smile split her face. Normal? No. Never normal. Not anymore. Not ever before. She didn't know how to...
Her thoughts had just started to turn to Katrina when she sensed someone approaching. The man looked somewhat familiar; she wondered briefly if she should know him. Know him or not, it didn't matter in the end. What did he want? He was staring at her. Annoying. "May I help you?"
He was unshaken, his steely gaze drilling into the one she reciprocated. "Lady Nasuada requests your presence." Well, at least his presence was a distraction.
"She does, does she?" She raised an eyebrow, determined to be stubborn with this man. She was in no mood for the game of politics. "Whatever for?"
"If you come you will find out."
"I could find out another time." She lazily rolled her shoulders and settled back against the tree, closing her eyes. "Or I could dig it from your mind."
He crossed his arms. "She has requested your presence for a council. You can't ask me why, for anymore I do not know. I'm her guard. She is under no obligation to tell me everything."
She opened one eye. "A Nighthawk." A statement- realization.
"Yes, ma'am."
She closed her eye again and sighed. Disappointing. The least he could have done was persist in vagueness. She needed a diversion. Anything. That wasn't fighting, at least. Nothing else this 'council' could be for. Politics governing war. Strife. More dead. More blood spilled. Her own, no doubt. She couldn't leave the silly humans on their own with their pathetic spell casters. "You may tell Nasuada that I will follow you shortly."
He bowed, irritation left in his wake as he disappeared. She waited several minutes before standing to her feet and following his path, her steps dragging. She didn't want to fight. She had to protect the treasure. There was nothing as important as protecting the treasure. Life! She wanted them all to live!
She shook her head as she approached the tent. The same man who had come to fetch her was now standing outside, stern and tall. She winked at him and whisked past before they could stop her and announce her to the group inside. Nasuada and Eragon, of course; Orrin, Arya, Blodhgarm, and Trianna.
Nasuada looked up at her, an unmistakable gleam of laughter mixed with rebuke in her eyes. "You're late."
"So sorry," she bowed, stepping forward to join them.
"No you're not." Nasuada allowed herself a smile before before a serious expression dominated. "I might as well get to the point. We have had over a month to recuperate here, and train and gather more troops. It is time we moved on."
Voices spoke over one another as the leaders debated their next course of action. The most obvious trail would be down the Jiet River; it seemed to make more sense to go another way and sneak up.
Raylena rolled her eyes. "Wouldn't they expect us to expect them to expect we'd go the wilderness route?"
Silence followed.
She sighed. "It would make sense that we wouldn't go the direct route in order to give ourselves more space and ability to scatter. However, I propose the former. Why not go marching up like idiots? We can cut across the grasslands to the *Lonely Mountain*, and then continue north along the Jiet from there."
"My Lady... as much as that would hold the element of surprise, it would leave us too exposed," Orrin rubbed his chin as he studied her. "Yet I'm led to believe you have something more in mind."
She grinned at him, eliciting a smile in return. "You are correct."
A full minute passed. Raylena's face had grown drawn; she was thinking. Now was not the time for that. Nasuada cleared her throat. "When you're ready, my dear, we are all anxious to hear it."
Raylena glanced over at her, the smile growing wider. "We ford the river."
She was met with blank stares.
"Oh, come now. It isn't so difficult to understand." She stepped around Trianna, pushing Orrin aside so she might reach the map and trace her finger along it. "We go north to the Lonely Mountain. From there we cut to the east and cross the Jiet River. Then we continue north until we reach Leona Lake. The people will remain sheltered from the battle, and we can easily leave some men to guard their other flank. After that one needs only to brave the cold water before lying in wait for the siege." She pulled away and crossed her arms, satisfaction written clearly on her face.
Eragon stared at her. It did make sense... they would still have available water, but it would give them a chance as long as they weren't caught in the river. That was the only flaw. "What happens if they catch us crossing the river?"
"There is a reason dragons exist."
"Dragon," he corrected. "We only have one." Her expression was unmoved, leaving him unsettled. "Still, you're right. She could easily give us a barrier of flames."
"It would be simple enough to douse it with a spell, if you'll pardon the pun."
Trianna shook her head. "Too dangerous."
Raylena whirled to face her, glaring. "What else do you suggest? There are limited options. It would at least give us more time while they searched on the west side. We-"
Orrin laid a hand on her shoulder, halting her rant before she could speak again. She glanced at him, then demurely lowered her gaze. "She is right, Trianna. There is little else that would present any surprise at all."
The magician frowned, thought she held her piece.
"Arya?"
The elf arched an eyebrow. "No matter the path taken, there is always a chance of disaster striking."
Orrin nodded politely, though a flash of irritation swept through him. No one would ever drag a straight answer from an elf. He met the eyes of the other one who merely flashed a toothy smile, his yellow eyes glimmering.
"We can confuse any wandering soldiers who would wish to cause us trouble."
The king nodded again, though the elf's response was somewhat alarming. 'Never cross an elf,' his father had always said. 'For they are winsome creatures led to do what they please.' He shook off the memory and turned to the Rider. "Eragon?"
The young man stared awkwardly down at his feet. "I've no mind for battle strategy, my lord. I've trained to battle in the skies, not work my way through on the earth."
Raylena hid a smile. Had Oromis never gone through battle strategy? Well, perhaps they hadn't the time. He did die, after all. The previous humor she had felt vanished. No matter. She needed to focus on this anyway.
Eragon struggled to keep himself from blushing. It was somewhat embarrassing; they all were cordially not commenting on his lack of knowledge.
Oh, little one, don't be so embarrassed. You can't help the education you received; be thankful for what you do know.
I know, I know.
Now concentrate. Nasuada is speaking.
He blinked.
"-therefore, I guess it is the only way."
Trianna shook her head. "I still don't like it."
"Then think of something else, my dear," Raylena said sweetly. "Once you do we can discuss and compare the two."
Trianna stared at her, but the younger woman's friendly expression was unwavering, even daring. Finally the older magician frowned and crossed her arms, unwilling to take the bait and receive further humiliation.
Nasuada hid a smile. Trianna had long since realized her abilities were pale in comparison to the younger one's. Raylena was as skilled as Brom had been, perhaps even moreso. Still, there was something about her... she was very different now than she had been as a blossoming girl. Then there was a balance to her, though she wavered precariously on the line. Now she fell from one side to the other...
She cleared her throat as the discussion trailed off. "It is decided then." She clapped her hands, summoning one of the Nighthawks. One of the men appeared in a heartbeat. "I need you to select some runners to spread the word: we are moving out." He bowed, then retreated. "Now then, shall we have some refreshments?"
Trianna was the first to excuse herself, the elves soon following. Raylena proved herself to have a sharp wit that played well off of the king's. The four and Saphira were soon laughing gaily, though it wasn't able to last for long. Orrin was the next to leave, apologizing and thanking the trio for the brief time away from the stress they had been under.
Eragon settled back in his seat and close his eyes. Saphira was humming, perfectly content. For a moment, everything was fine. They were all safe and happy. The only problem was the over-hanging feeling that it wouldn't last for long.
Nasuada sighed and let her shoulders sag. "I thank you both for this. It has been too long since any of us have been able to relax."
Raylena's smile faded. "Nor will we for some time, I daresay."
Eragon eyed her. She had seemed to be fully away of her surroundings and normal in her thought process, unlike previous times where she had seemed scattered and detatched from reality.
The change in the mood was enough for her. She stood up, bowed, and hurried out. Well, perhaps he had been too hasty.
Nasuada and Eragon sat in silence. Saphira's song had ceased.
"Well, we are moving forward."
Eragon glanced over at her. She seemed distressed. "What is it?"
"We have all been waiting a long time for this. I grew up schooled about warfare. Now that the time has come, I am frightened."
"Of what?" It was a shock, really. She was normally so stoic.
"Of failure."
Time ticked by.
I as well, Saphira added quietly, a sentiment Eragon could only echo.
Raylena curled up in her tent, careful to first seal the small room with magic. Then she tossed her cloak away from her person and drew the rough sack out from behind her back. She stared down at it for several minutes before stretching her mind to it. Immediately the cheerful song filled her being, washing through her and calming her scattered thoughts.
The song changed slightly to one of wonder. It sensed that something important had happened and wanted to find out what. Raylena closed her eyes and let the day flow from her into her companion. It took a while to process the information, then sent her an affirmative pulse.
Raylena smiled at the new bounce of energy that emanated. Excitement. The time was coming soon. She could sense it. The joy passed through her, making her feel lighter than she had in a very long time. It had been too long since there had been something so good.
But then... a pause. Worry. Discontentment.
No, oh no, she whispered gently. You are perfect just as you are.
It took several soothing phrases before the melody was once again appeased and satisfied. She laughed to herself, then tucked the bag away, pleased with the news. She twisted around until she was laying in a more comfortable position. She let her mind relax, forgetting what she had just set into motion. No death tonight. Only rest...
*So there are these random two mountains in the middle of the map of Alagaesia, and I in my brilliance decided to flat out copy Tolkien. I love Tolkien. I'm so going to the midnight premier of The Hobbit.*